Surface lift

skizilla

I was skiing at Otis ridge which has a variety of surface lifts and was wondering which is your favorite type. I personally like the old poma lifts did not like t bar especially on steeps the pony tow bars are so close to ground to reach they hurt my back. I assume magic carpets are the most modern one but they are all relatively short. Which is the best? What is the longest currently operating one in the northeast?

NewEnglandSkier13

I find T-bars, J-bars, and platter pulls very enjoyable and easy to ride.

The J-bar at Black Mountain in NH was originally installed in the 30s, but only operates occasionally now. Veterans Memorial and Titcomb both have T-bars from the early 50s which operate regularly.

lotsoskiing

New GMVS one at Mt. Ellen is over 4000' long. Can get stats.

I don't like handle tows. For a little kid, awesome. For a 6'3" adult, not so much

Retracting (on rope) T-bars are the best, though a classic Hall is fun, too.

And the Pomas at Hickory :'( are/were a hoot

NewEnglandSkier13

Handle tows are easier for adults if you put the handle behind you and ride it like a J-bar.

skizilla

Yeah i am 6'3 too the handle bar reach is an issue. ride it like a jbar hmm

lotsoskiing

skizilla;c-46494 wroteYeah i am 6'3 too the handle bar reach is an issue. ride it like a jbar hmm

Yep, that's what I did and nearly killed myself trying to get it off my calves...

Brklynskier

lotsoskiing;c-46495 wrote
skizilla;c-46494 wroteYeah i am 6'3 too the handle bar reach is an issue. ride it like a jbar hmm
Yep, that's what I did and nearly killed myself trying to get it off my calves...

I've had the same problem.

ceo

I've always had a soft spot for the old-school detachable Poma platter lifts, like the sadly-departed one at Burke, they're just so bizarrely different from ever other lift type. Only one left that I know of in NE is the one at Killington that they recently relocated. They were only ever common in France, and even there they're gradually being retired.

NewEnglandSkier13

lotsoskiing;c-46495 wrote
skizilla;c-46494 wroteYeah i am 6'3 too the handle bar reach is an issue. ride it like a jbar hmm
Yep, that's what I did and nearly killed myself trying to get it off my calves...

It works best if you can get it behind your knees. I'm 6'0" and that works for me with the one at Titcomb. I guess it depends on the tow and your height whether or not that works for you.

ski_it

I like platters the best. J bars are good. Next T bars either alone or if someone your size and ability is with you. Ropes can require more strength depending on the run but can be fine. Handle tows, I’m afraid I’m gonna break them.

Beast Patroller

I haven't been on a surface lift in years. Back when I started skiing in the 60s that's all I rode. I remember my first day out using a rope tow and it was tough to get use to letting it slowly slip through your hand (when loading) so it didn't jerk you up the mountain. The J-bar only took one try to realize that you can't sit on it. The Poma lift at Otis Ridge use to launch you when the operator released it onto the cable. T-bars were interesting as you really needed someone your height or it was an uncomfortable ride. My wife & I had a problem riding them as I'm 6' 1" and she is 5' 2". Needless to say if she had the bar under her butt it was down between my butt & my knees.

BTW, who else remembers riding the T-bar at Pico Mtn.? That was by far the toughest T-bar around! I remember seeing the sign as you started to go up the steep section that read "For expert riders only!"

newpylong

The T-Bar that was where the Little Pico triple is now or the shorter one skier's right of A-Slope further down? I think that was called Little Pico II.

I can't imagine seeing people try to make it up the former!

IBRAKEFORTBARS

I have two: the classic Hall t-bar that once was ubiquitous in the eastern US and the classic Mueller t-bar with the lattice towers that were all over the Swiss ski resorts and some New England ones.

IBRAKE

lotsoskiing

IBRAKEFORTBARS;c-46512 wroteI have two: the classic Hall t-bar that once was ubiquitous in the eastern US and the classic Mueller t-bar with the lattice towers that were all over the Swiss ski resorts and some New England ones.

IBRAKE

Mighty Oak Mt, NY still has 2 Halls, and the longer one has just been brought back to life. Will probably run during Prez week.

skizilla

Why did the pomas disappear but the j/tbars stay were they that much more sophisticated or just no longer supported by manufacturer. The one at otis lift towers and arches still there it is kind of a hidden stash trail i which they would clear out and open up and remove the pieces They could definitely fit one more tight trail in there

NewEnglandSkier13

skizilla;c-46518 wroteWhy did the pomas disappear but the j/tbars stay were they that much more sophisticated or just no longer supported by manufacturer. The one at otis lift towers and arches still there it is kind of a hidden stash trail i which they would clear out and open up and remove the pieces They could definitely fit one more tight trail in there

The old lift line at Otis that you're talking about is actually the old J-bar lift.

teighs

Hogback got rid of it's Poma because it was a maintenance nightmare according to my dad. Beside t-bar has twice the capacity.

Beast Patroller

newpylong;c-46511 wroteThe T-Bar that was where the Little Pico triple is now or the shorter one skier's right of A-Slope further down? I think that was called Little Pico II.

I can't imagine seeing people try to make it up the former!

I'm guessing it was where the Little Pico Triple is now. I found a picture of it so maybe you or others might recognize it.

Beast Patroller

NewEnglandSkier13;c-46520 wrote
skizilla;c-46518 wroteWhy did the pomas disappear but the j/tbars stay were they that much more sophisticated or just no longer supported by manufacturer. The one at otis lift towers and arches still there it is kind of a hidden stash trail i which they would clear out and open up and remove the pieces They could definitely fit one more tight trail in there
The old lift line at Otis that you're talking about is actually the old J-bar lift.

Actually the Poma lift was to the left of the base lodge. It ran up the Slalom trail.

The J-bar was over towards the Grouse House.

newpylong

Beast Patroller;c-46544 wrote
newpylong;c-46511 wroteThe T-Bar that was where the Little Pico triple is now or the shorter one skier's right of A-Slope further down? I think that was called Little Pico II.

I can't imagine seeing people try to make it up the former!
I'm guessing it was where the Little Pico Triple is now. I found a picture of it so maybe you or others might recognize it.

Yep, that liftline is straight up!